Mark Sabbatini

Dancers exit the main conference room at Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall as part of the opening ceremonies for the Central Council of the Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska’s 90th Tribal Assembly on Wednesday, April 16, 2025. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Tlingit and Haida votes to give smaller Southeast communities more representation at tribal assembly

Change during constitutional convention significantly shrinks delegations in Anchorage and Seattle.

Dancers exit the main conference room at Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall as part of the opening ceremonies for the Central Council of the Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska’s 90th Tribal Assembly on Wednesday, April 16, 2025. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Aleijah Fulmer, 6, deposits the plastic shells of eggs in a basket after removing the candy inside during the Molly of Denali EGG-Stravaganza at the University of Alaska Southeast on Saturday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire) (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
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Aleijah Fulmer, 6, deposits the plastic shells of eggs in a basket after removing the candy inside during the Molly of Denali EGG-Stravaganza at the University of Alaska Southeast on Saturday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire) (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
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The Norwegian Bliss docks downtown on Monday, April 14, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire file photo)

Juneau’s leaders to discuss city’s long-term future, cruise industry in series of public meetings

Four sessions on CBJ’s 20-year plan on Tuesday and Wednesday; Assembly and cruise leaders meet Thursday.

The Norwegian Bliss docks downtown on Monday, April 14, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire file photo)
Tina Martin, left and her daughter, Isabelle, 17, clean trash from a stream along Back Loop Road on Saturday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Carcasses, recliners and butts all part of a bustling annual Juneau spring cleaning

Cleanups throughout town include newcomers and those participating for decades.

Tina Martin, left and her daughter, Isabelle, 17, clean trash from a stream along Back Loop Road on Saturday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
The front page of the Juneau Empire on April 13, 1995. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
The front page of the Juneau Empire on April 13, 1995. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy (R-Alaska) speaks to reporters about his decision to veto an education funding bill at the Alaska State Capitol on Thursday, April 17, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)

Dunleavy’s veto of education funding bill puts pressure on lawmakers during final month of session

Governor also previews new bill with $560 BSA increase, plus additional funds for policy initiatives.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy (R-Alaska) speaks to reporters about his decision to veto an education funding bill at the Alaska State Capitol on Thursday, April 17, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
Chalyee Éesh Richard Peterson, president of the Central Council of the Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska, takes questions from delegates at its 90th annual Tribal Assembly on Wednesday at Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Large advances, challenges to Tlingit and Haida’s sovereignty highlighted in State of the Tribe address

Emergency response during last year’s record flood a landmark moment, but Trump’s policies a concern.

Chalyee Éesh Richard Peterson, president of the Central Council of the Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska, takes questions from delegates at its 90th annual Tribal Assembly on Wednesday at Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Flags fly outside the Juneau Arts and Culture Center on Tuesday, July 25, 2023, shortly before the Juneau Arts and Humanities Council’s 50-year anniversary celebration the same week. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

Juneau Arts and Humanities Council bans DEI on ‘public facing documents’ due to funding threat

Executive director: No events cancelled, “racial equity” and other deleted website content being rewritten.

Flags fly outside the Juneau Arts and Culture Center on Tuesday, July 25, 2023, shortly before the Juneau Arts and Humanities Council’s 50-year anniversary celebration the same week. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
People and one of their pets depart the city’s cold-weather emergency shelter in Thane on Wednesday morning, the last day it is scheduled to be open until October. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Homeless unsure about their plans, JPD more certain about theirs as warming shelter closes until fall

Police will issue 48-hour vacate notices at campsites in public areas deemed problematic, chief says.

People and one of their pets depart the city’s cold-weather emergency shelter in Thane on Wednesday morning, the last day it is scheduled to be open until October. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
A map shows the area to the west of Lynn Canal where state transportation officials are seeking proposals to study a road and/or other transportation linking Juneau and other communities. (Google Maps)

Senate claws back $37 million in Juneau Access funds to help pass next year’s capital budget

Funds rediverted for statewide use a month after DOT seeks new studies for “dead” access project.

A map shows the area to the west of Lynn Canal where state transportation officials are seeking proposals to study a road and/or other transportation linking Juneau and other communities. (Google Maps)
Richard Chalyee Éesh Peterson, president of the Central Council of the Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska, delivers his State of the Tribe speech to delegates during the opening of the 89th annual Tribal Assembly on Wednesday, April 17, 2024, at Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall. This year’s three-day tribal assembly is scheduled to start Wednesday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
Richard Chalyee Éesh Peterson, president of the Central Council of the Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska, delivers his State of the Tribe speech to delegates during the opening of the 89th annual Tribal Assembly on Wednesday, April 17, 2024, at Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall. This year’s three-day tribal assembly is scheduled to start Wednesday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
Power remained on in downtown Juneau on Sunday night, while two damaged poles left much of the rest of the town in the dark. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Damaged power poles knocks out electricity to Valley, other northern parts of Juneau

Repairs to outage that occurred Sunday evening expected by midnight, ALE&P says.

Power remained on in downtown Juneau on Sunday night, while two damaged poles left much of the rest of the town in the dark. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Welcome messages in multiple languages are painted on windows at the University of Alaska Anchorage at the start of the semester in January. (University of Alaska Anchorage photo)

Juneau refugee family gets ‘leave immediately’ notice; four people affiliated with UAA have visas revoked

Actions part of nationwide sweep as Trump ignores legal orders against detentions, deportations.

Welcome messages in multiple languages are painted on windows at the University of Alaska Anchorage at the start of the semester in January. (University of Alaska Anchorage photo)
Rhiannon Giddens and Dirk Powell, the featured guest artists for the 50th Alaska Folk Festival, perform the final concert of the weeklong event at Centennial Hall on Sunday night. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

50th Alaska Folk Festival is one for the records

Capacity crowds, Grammy-winning artists, sellout of merchandise, future film make for resounding week.

Rhiannon Giddens and Dirk Powell, the featured guest artists for the 50th Alaska Folk Festival, perform the final concert of the weeklong event at Centennial Hall on Sunday night. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Rep. Sara Hannan (D-Juneau), left, confers with Rep. Alyse Galvin (I-Anchorage) during a break in a House floor session on March 10, 2025. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

Juneau lawmaker’s bill allowing ‘snow classics’ as statewide charitable gaming activity passes House

Local Nordic ski club among groups hoping to use snowfall guessing contests as fundraisers.

Rep. Sara Hannan (D-Juneau), left, confers with Rep. Alyse Galvin (I-Anchorage) during a break in a House floor session on March 10, 2025. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
Workers begin to install an airport-style security system inside the front entrance of the Alaska State Capitol on Friday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Installation of airport-style security system underway at Alaska State Capitol

Most visitors will need to pass through screening starting around April 21, officials say.

Workers begin to install an airport-style security system inside the front entrance of the Alaska State Capitol on Friday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Workers install HESCO barriers along the Mendenhall River. (City and Borough of Juneau photo)

Lawsuit by property owner seeks to ban CBJ from installing HESCO barriers

Plaintiff argues city didn’t get proper federal authorization; municipal attorney says claims are errant.

Workers install HESCO barriers along the Mendenhall River. (City and Borough of Juneau photo)
Members of the Alaska State Employees Association and AFSCME Local 52 hold a protest at the Alaska State Capitol on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire file photo)

State employee salaries fall short of levels intended to be competitive, long-delayed study finds

31 of 36 occupation groups are 85%-98% of target level; 21 of 36 are below public/private sector average.

Members of the Alaska State Employees Association and AFSCME Local 52 hold a protest at the Alaska State Capitol on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire file photo)
Four petitions seeking to put proposals on the fall municipal election ballot were filed this week with the Juneau city clerk’s office. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Group hopes to put mill rate cap, food and utility tax exemptions, in-person elections on local fall ballot

Three petitions submitted Thursday by Affordable Juneau Coalition now under CBJ review.

Four petitions seeking to put proposals on the fall municipal election ballot were filed this week with the Juneau city clerk’s office. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
The front page of the Juneau Empire on April 9, 1995. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
The front page of the Juneau Empire on April 9, 1995. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)